The World's Next Genocide

Because there are billions of people in our world, many different opinions and ideas exist.  Our world needs to be accepting of all different religions in all countries.  Many fear that a massacre like the Rwandan genocide might happen in Syria.  Just like the Tutsi's were being attacked for being Tutsi's, the Alawties are being attacked for being Alawties. It is our job as an international community to prevent a genocide from occurring.  

One of the major themes we talked about in Catholic Social Teaching is helping those who cannot help themselves.  The Alawties have no power in Syria and they need someone to stand up for them.  In order to make a world of peace, we need to make sure the government in Syria is fair.  As we saw in Imaculee's story about the genocide in Rwanda, during a genocide, the government is usually corrupt.  We need to take action now on an international level in order to ensure peace.  By taking action on this potential genocide we are living out the theme of justice.  We are making the world fair and just.

Silence Begets Violence

The school shooting in Connecticut is a tragic event that this country will never forget.  Recently, I feel like we as a country have been saying we will never forget such an event quite often.  Connecticut is not the only state to experience a school shooting.  A few years back Springfield High School experienced a school shooting and Springfield is in our backyard.  We as a community need to stop saying "we will never forget."  We need to start taking action and standing up for what is right and just.   Hopefully the murder of children and teachers will be a wake up call to many political figures.  These people we have elected to represent us need to make sure our country instills stricter gun laws.  

Those in Newtown who just lost their children and loved ones need our help.  Catholic Social Teaching calls everyone to unite and protect each other.  Every little act can help.  The parents who just lost their children need support.  They need hope.  More importantly, they need a reason to wake up every morning.  The community in Newtown as a whole is really struggling and CST tells us that we need to help.  We cannot create stricter gun laws ourselves, but we can make those mourning the loss of their children feel a little better.  

In my eyes, I can't really think of anything worse than a crime committed against a child.  I don't know if I will ever forgive Adam for his actions, but CST calls us to do just that.  As we saw in Dead Man Walking, God calls us to forgive even those who have committed the most heinous crimes.  Sometimes it's hard and it is even harder for those who have lost their young children.  We don't have to forgive Adam right away, but if we try to forgive a little each day, I am sure God will understand.